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She said though prominent members of the NDC had divergent
views on the estimated cost, building and the eventual relocation to the
renovated structure, it was important that the structure was not left to waste
but used for its intended purposes.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Hajia
Osumanu said after leaving the Christianborg Castle, it was equally important
for the government not to neglect the structure but to use it as an annex to
the seat of government.

She also said it was
important to look at things from a broader view, saying the relocation was not
a betrayal of the stance of late President Mills as some had erroneously
suggested, adding that it had not been a policy of the NDC to reject the use of
the Flagstaff House.

Hajia Osumanu said although some people had interestingly
labelled the place as a “poultry farm” or “hen coop”, it was designed to host
presidential visitors and house the President.

She said the ‘piling traffic’ fears of some commuters who
used the main road in front of the Flagstaff House were unfounded as the place
had been well-designed with many gates to ensure that the traffic situation was
not compounded due to people moving in and out of the presidential premises.

Hajia Osumanu said so
long as the National Security had declared the place safe for government
business, the existing houses and business entities surrounding the Flagstaff
House would not pose any security threat.

She said across the
world, major governmental institutions like the White House in the US and the
Number 10 Downing Street in the UK were located in the centre of their
respective cities with few concerns since due security precautions had been
taken and regularly reviewed.

Hajia Osumanu added
“it’s just good planning that is needed to protect the President and his
entourage and overall, his move is in the right direction”. -GNA